Heartland Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll Comparison
Heartland Payroll
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Medium Business
- Small Business
Heartland Payroll is a payroll management software for small and medium sized companies. It handles all your payroll processing requirements such as bi-weekly, monthly or yearly paychecks, cost accounting and tracking of…
QuickBooks Payroll
Starting at $49 /Month
- Free Trial
- Small Business
QuickBooks Payroll makes it easy to stay on top of your HR needs. It’s payroll software that gives you the power to handle all the payroll processing you need, from modeling an employee’s paycheck to tracking deductions…
Heartland Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 118 reviews.
Heartland Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | Heartland Payroll | QuickBooks Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 118 | 55 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $49 /Month |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Medium Business, Small Business | Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Integrations | — | 8+ apps |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | — | — |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep) | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | — | — |
| Data residency | US | — |
Key differences between Heartland Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll
- Pricing: QuickBooks Payroll starts at $49 /Month. Heartland Payroll pricing is not publicly listed.
- Free trial: QuickBooks Payroll offers a free trial; Heartland Payroll does not.
- Target audience: Heartland Payroll is built for Medium Business and Small Business, while QuickBooks Payroll targets Small Business.
- User satisfaction: Heartland Payroll scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: Heartland Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; QuickBooks Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Heartland Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Payroll Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Free PDF comparison
Download this Heartland Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll comparison
Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Payroll Software tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.
- Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
- Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
- Emailed to you — no on-screen download
No file downloads on screen — we email it to you. One-click unsubscribe anytime.
Heartland Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for small to mid-sized businesses needing streamlined payroll with strong support.
- You run a retail, hospitality, or healthcare business with 20-500 employees.
- You want automated tax filings and integrated payment processing to reduce manual work.
- You value responsive, knowledgeable payroll specialists for personalized customer support.
- Your company is a large enterprise with complex payroll needs requiring high customization.
- You need a highly customizable payroll entry and reporting system beyond standard options.
Small Business
Heartland Payroll typically suits Medium Business and Small Business. QuickBooks Payroll tends to fit Small Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | Heartland Payroll is a payroll management software for small and medium sized companies. It handles all your payroll processing requirements such as bi-weekly, monthly or yearly paychecks, ... Read More about Heartland Payroll | QuickBooks Payroll makes it easy to stay on top of your HR needs. It’s payroll software that gives you the power to handle all the payroll processing you need, from modeling an employee’s ... Read More about QuickBooks Payroll |
|---|---|---|
Entry Level Pricing |
|
|
Free Trial Availability |
| |
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 20-50 employees51-500 employees | 1–500 employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
- Integrated Payments & Payroll: Combines payroll with Heartland's payment processing, simplifying employee compensation and business transactions.
- Compliance & Tax Filing: Automates federal, state, and local tax filings, helping reduce compliance risks and administrative workload.
- User-Friendly Platform: Designed to simplify payroll with easy-to-use dashboards, direct deposit options, and responsive customer support.
- Compliance and Tax Support: The platform keeps tax compliance current, automatically calculates taxes, and manages filings to reduce penalties.
- Integrated Accounting Solutions: It integrates smoothly with QuickBooks Accounting software, providing real-time financial insights and simplifying bookkeeping.
- Seamless Payroll Processing: QuickBooks Payroll automates payroll calculations, tax filings, and direct deposits, reducing manual errors and saving time.
Best fit
- 20–500 employees
- Retail, hospitality, healthcare, manufacturing, and small to mid-sized businesses
- Payroll Managers, HR Directors, Finance Officers, Business Owners, and Operations Managers
- 1–500 employees
- Retail, professional services, healthcare, hospitality, construction, and nonprofits.
- Payroll Managers, HR Managers, Accountants, Business Owners, and Finance Directors.
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Businesses seeking deeper integration between payment processing and payroll may explore other all-in-one providers.
- Companies requiring advanced HR management, benefits administration, or time tracking may consider broader HCM platforms.
- Firms with multi-state or complex compliance needs might look for payroll solutions specializing in regulatory support.
- Businesses requiring industry-specific payroll features may seek specialized platforms.
- Companies looking for more robust HR management and employee benefits integration may explore other solutions.
- Organizations with complex multinational payroll needs might prefer global payroll providers.
Software Demo
Demo |
|---|
Need a second opinion?
Get decision help from a software advisor
Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.
- Independent advice — matched to your business
- Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
- Free 15-min call with a software advisor.
Step 1 of 4
How big is your team?
We tailor recommendations to companies your size.
How do Heartland Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 12 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Heartland Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
Pricing Option | ||
|---|---|---|
Starting From |
|
|
Pricing Plans |
|
|
Pricing Page | Pricing information not available |  |
Heartland Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Platforms Supported |
|
|
Modes of support |
|
|
API Support |
|
|
Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Heartland Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
HIPAA | ✗ No | — |
|---|---|---|
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | — |
Heartland Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Users appreciate the user-friendly platform and strong customer service but note onboarding challenges and portal access issues. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 52 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
|
Pros and Cons |
|
|
Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
| Negative Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. |
|---|
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  3 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  2 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Heartland Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll in 2026
Alternatives |
|---|
Add another option to compare side by side
Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.Compare similar software options
Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Heartland Payroll or QuickBooks Payroll?
- Heartland Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Heartland Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll offer a free trial?
- QuickBooks Payroll offers a free trial. Heartland Payroll does not.
- What is the starting price of Heartland Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll?
- Heartland Payroll starts at Contact for pricing. QuickBooks Payroll starts at $49 /Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Heartland Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Heartland Payroll include QuickBooks Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll, Patriot Payroll, SurePayroll.
- What are the top alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll?
- Top alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll include Heartland Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll, Patriot Payroll, SurePayroll.